There’s no argument. In any sexual assault, there’s only one party at fault… the perpetrator. The victim is innocent, blameless, even if she’s all dolled up like Hickory Holler’s tramp.
To suggest she was “asking for it” based on her dress, is not only unjust and hurtful, it’s ridiculous. I’ve yet to meet the woman who seeks to suffer a violent act.
All women should be able to walk our streets day or night, without fear of being attacked. But the fact is SHOULD, won’t stop the bad guys… and never will.
No law, or any amount of education, will ever eliminate society’s predators.
While it may be viewed as “unfair”, or if you prefer, “sexist”, the reality is, unaccompanied women must always be cautious. Not paranoid, but aware of their vulnerability given the time and place.
In response to a series of sexual assaults in Toronto, Krista Ford, niece of Mayor Rob, tweeted some advice to women…. “Stay alert, walk tall, carry mace, take self defence classes… and don’t dress like a whore!”
Not surprisingly, all Hell broke loose… the twitterverse overflowing with scolding tweets, condemnations of her “ignorant” views.
It was pointed out to Ms. Ford that conservative dress was no guaranteed defence against rape… that even women in burkas have been victimized.
She was accused of blaming the victim, that a woman dressed provocatively, was, to some degree, responsible for being attacked… told, that what a woman wears should never be an issue!
I would agree, it shouldn’t be… but in some cases, it COULD be.
To simply dimiss the possibilty, that a woman’s skimpy attire could be a contributing factor in an assault, is not only silly, but dishonest.
The fact is, a woman who dresses to get attention, does, at times, get the unwanted kind… as any hooker will tell you, advertising works.
Beaten down by the critics, Ms. Ford apologized for her tweet, saying she only wanted to keep women safe.
I, for one, believe her, and I don’t think an apology was necessary.
Again, women who suffer an attack, should never, ever, be burdened with blame… but they might be guilty of exercising poor judgement.
Ask any responsible parent, why they don’t allow their teenage daughter to dress like the latest tart-costumed, pop star.
I think they might tell you, that they live in the world that IS… not the world that SHOULD be.
Listen to The Motts (Paul and Carol) weekdays… 11 til noon at…http://www.themotts.ca
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